The loan service provides loan boxes and displays for use by local schools and community groups. These are detailed below:

Loan Box 1 - The Victorian School

• 10 slates, pencils and rags
• 10 'dip' pens with copperplate nibs
• 2 ink pots (1 small, 1 large)
• 1 reproduction Victorian schoolgirl's apron
• 1 reproduction Victorian schoolboy's waistcoat
• 1 Victorian School Day Resource Book and folder
• 1 The Victorian Schoolroom, Shire book by Trevor May

Resource Pack includes:

• 'National School Records' information sheet
• Reports of annual examination of Tildarg National School, 1899, 1902 Teacher's contract, Tildarg, 1902
• Grant aid application conditions sheet
• Grant aid applications for Carnmoney Female School and Ballycraigy 1846
• Grant aid applications provide much information about the establishment of schools including the name of teacher and number of pupils.
• Significant dates sheet
• Vere Foster copybook
• Ordnance Survey Memoirs extracts 1832-39
• Information relating to Doagh, Ballyclare, Kilbride, Skilganaban, Straid, Ballynure, Tildarg, Ballyeaston, Whitehouse, Carnmoney, Whiteabbey. Mossley National School, Teachers' income, 1878,1882,1883
• Loan box use guidelines
• School Curriculum links
• Comment sheet

Other Resources are available if you are thinking of conducting a full Victorian School session with your class:

• Additional slates, pencils, rags, dip pens and costume
• Backboard
• Cane

Loan Box 2 - Victorian Toys and Games

• 8 Cups and Balls
  Popularised in 15th Century Britain, this game could be seen in many Victorian playgrounds. Children would play against each other to see who could get the ball into the cup a number of times in a row.
• 7 Tops and Whips
  The string is wound tightly around the top and then pulled away swiftly setting the top in motion. A smooth surface and space is needed for successful spinning. The whip would have been used to keep the top spinning.
• 5 Spinning Tops
  These spinning tops are somewhat easier to master than the tops and whips! Pupils can make their own versions using pencils and card. Just cut a circle out of card and poke a pencil through the centre. Some care must be taken in balancing the length of the pencil against the size of the disc.
• Diabolos
  The diabolo is spun back and forth on the string using the two wooden arms to control the movement. This requires patience and skill but once mastered, Victorian children would be able to spin the diabolo, throw it in the air and catch it again in the string.
• Five stones
  A set of five clay stones which would have been popular with Victorian street children. Used in a similar way to 'Jacks'.
• 1 Flick book
  The flick book was an early form of moving image, eventually leading to cinematography. Pupils may want to make their own flick books after seeing this example.
• 4 Hoops and Sticks
  This game would have been played out in the streets by Victorian children. The hoop would have been run along the ground using the stick to push it along until it gathered speed. The stick could then be used to hit the hoop with and keep it moving. Alternatives were made from wood, iron and the rings from cooper's barrels.
• Activity sheets (optical toys)
  Make your own Zoetrope
  Make your own Phenakistascope
  Make a Kaleidoscope
  Make a Thaumatrope

Display 1 - Mossley Mill at Work & Play

• Aerial view of Mossley Mill
• The Dyeing Shed
• The Engineering Squad
• Mossley Swimming Pool & Yarn Reeling
• Gas Explosion at the Mill, Belfast Telegraph cutting, 1935

Display 2 - Newtownabbey Then and Now

• Mossley Swimming Pool, 1930s / Six Mile Leisure Pool, 1990s.
• View of Cavehill to Hazelbank early 1900s / View 30 years later.
• Belfast Trolley Bus, Whitehouse Terminus, 1958 / Modern bus transport.
• Holy Well, Ballyeaston, 1930s / Carpark on site today.
• Ballyclare Townhall & Market, early 1930s / View today.
• Ballynure Beetling Mill, 1926 / Modern weaving at Mallusk.
• Fossett's circus at Merville, 1958 / Fossett's in the Valley Park, 1997.
• Whitehouse Regatta, 1958 / Ultra 30s Sailing Regatta, 1997.
• Alpha Cinema, Rathcoole, 1958 / Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre, 1990s.
• Patterson's Shop, Carnmoney Road, 1926 / Williamson's car showroom today.
• Horsefair, Ballyclare, 1907 / Mayfair, Ballyclare, 1988.
• Broad Gauge Railway Sation, Ballyclare c.1912 / Popular transport today.
• Village of Straid, 1930s / Straid today.
• Bridge Road, Monkstown, early 1950s / View today.
• Blacksmith, Ballynure, 1920 / View today.
• Main Street, Doagh c.1908 / View today.
• View of Cavehill, 1956 / View today.
• Council in session at Hazelbank, 1958 / Mossley Mill Council Chamber, 2000.